Xtra Time Web Desk: The England cricket team led by Joe Root arrived in Chennai on Wednesday to play a full series against India. The England cricketers flew in from Colombo at around 10.30 AM and headed to the hotel where members of the two teams will be put up as part of the bio-bubble, a Tamil Nadu Cricket Association official said.
England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes, pace bowling spearhead Jofra Archer and opener Rory Burns had already arrived in the city on Sunday and are in quarantine.
Few Indian players including opening batsman Rohit Sharma and Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane arrived on Tuesday night along with wicket keeper batsman Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha.
Head coach Ravi Shastri flew in from Mumbai as did several other players from destinations across the country. Skipper Virat Kohli is scheduled to arrive later on Wednesday.
The players of the two teams will be staying at Hotel Leela Palace in a bio-bubble as part of quarantine protocols and will undergo testing for COVID-19, the TNCA official said.
“They will be in quarantine for six days and are set to start practising from February 2,” the official added.
The first Test will be played at the M A Chidambaram stadium from February 5 and the second from February 13. Chennai had last hosted a Test match in December 2016 against England.